Oprah, Tiger, Beyonce and Jay-Z top list of Forbes Celebrity 100

African American athletes and entertainers topped 2007-08 the Forbes magazine annual Celebrity 100. With only one big screen actor, Will Smith, one small screen actor, Vanessa Williams, and one movie director, Tyler Perry, of African descent made it onto the list, rappers and singers represented most of the blacks listed. Each celebrity’s name is followed by the estimated revenue for the 12-month calendar year ending June 2008, followed by their overall ranking on the list.

NOTE: The Forbes Celebrity 100 combines the person’s estimated income plus the number of web mentions on Google press clips and the number of times a celebrity’s face appeared on the cover of national publications. Therefore, 50 Cent and Tyler Perry, who earned $150 and $125 million, respectively, are listed lower on the Forbes’ list than they would have been if Forbes went by earnings alone. [FYI: J.K Rowling, the author of the ridiculously successful “Harry Potter” franchise, raked in the greatest cash haul of anyone, making more than $300 million]. –terry shropshire